Still on the “show, don’t tell” crusade. A recent post on the blog LiveWriteThrive emphasizes how modern audiences are used to the action in movies, TV, and video games. They want to be part of that action and they don’t want to wait to enter into it. That calls upon us writers to get to the point, while still finding a way to include any necessary history. How to do that?

1. Detail – sensory, surroundings, thoughts
2. Action – what someone does, but also how they do it and what happens as a result
3. Dialogue – in support of action

I am currently slogging through the manuscript I am editing 5,000 words at a time, marking areas I know are “telling”. As I return to re-do them, I am noticing how difficult it is to remember all of these maxims and to apply them to each scene. Like pulling teeth sometimes. I guess the payoff is that I am learning as I go and I am definitely getting a much better piece as a result.